Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Salem, NH: $24.28 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Salem, NH runs $24.28 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,511 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Salem's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.3, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,305 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Salem, New Hampshire, the projected pharmacy technician hourly pay stands at an attractive $24.28, surpassing the national median of $23.19. This difference highlights the competitive nature of the job market in the area, particularly for positions in various settings such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital compounding rooms adhering to USP <797> and <800> regulations, and long-term care facilities. The hourly rate provides ample opportunities for part-time and per-diem workers who might choose to work three days a week, fostering work-life balance while earning between $19.02 and $30.79 per hour, depending on experience and setting. This pay scale serves as a valuable reference for those entering or transitioning within the pharmacy technician profession, as it demonstrates the range of earnings available from entry-level roles to more experienced technicians in specialized environments.
About the Salem Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.02 | $152.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.73 | $157.82 |
| Median (P50) | $24.28 | $194.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.91 | $207.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.79 | $246.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salem
Based on $24.28/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.28/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salem, NH can expect to earn approximately $50,508 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,139. With a cost-of-living index of 107.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Salem.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salem
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $971.31 | $4,209 | $50,508 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $582.79 | $2,525 | $30,305 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $388.53 | $1,684 | $20,203 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Salem) | $24.28 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
Pharmacy Technicians in Salem, NH earn a median of $50,511 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.71% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 2.40% below the New Hampshire state average of $51,753.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.28/hr = $30,305/year (purchasing power: $28,243).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,508/year (purchasing power: $47,072).
CoL index: 107.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$17.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.28/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.67/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.15/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.28/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.60/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Salem grew 34.8% from $17.09/hr (2019) to $23.03/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.60/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacy technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.44% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Pharmacy Technician in Salem
Focusing on part-time earning potential, a pharmacy technician working three days a week (24 hours) would bring home around $30,000 annually, in stark contrast to their full-time counterparts who earn significantly more. Per diem pharmacy technician pay in Salem typically ranges from $20 to $32 per hour, with specialized roles, particularly in hospital sterile compounding, sometimes commanding rates as high as $40 per hour. Traveling pharmacy technician contracts can be especially lucrative, yielding between $1,200 and $1,800 per week in regions experiencing worker shortages. Hourly rates can fluctuate based on the type of employer; retail chains like CVS and Walgreens may offer lower pay compared to specialty pharmacies or hospitals, which often compensate technicians at a higher rate due to the required compliance with stringent regulations. When negotiating, pharmacy technicians should weigh the benefits against hourly wages, with many accepting lower pay in exchange for health insurance plans. For those securing hourly work in Salem, understanding local market dynamics and leveraging their certifications—like PTCB or CSPT—can be key to maximizing their earning potential.
More salary data for Salem, NH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Salem in 2026?
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Written by Emily Tran, PharmD
Career Analyst
Emily Tran has over 8 years of experience as a pharmacy technician. She specializes in medication therapy management. Her experience includes working in community pharmacies.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacy technicians in Salem. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Salem is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.44%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacy technicians (SOC 29-2052).
Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov